FTSE and Barra fall out

FTSE says it is working on data distribution agreements with a number of risk management vendors after talks to retain its indices on Barra fell through.

The collapse of negotiations between the two means that from 1 November, Barra users will no longer be able to access FTSE data direct from Barra products.

Talks between the two over data fees have been ongoing for some months, and FTSE had already lined up an alternative data distribution deal with Northfield Information Services, launched late last week. FTSE says further deals with other risk management vendors will be announced soon.

Alternatively, users are being offered the option of receiving data directly from FTSE or other vendors to upload into Barra models.

In a statement, FTSE says: "FTSE Group will, however, continue to make efforts to reach an agreement with MSCI/Barra but would like to keep its data users informed on the situation as it evolves."

Barra responded at the end of play with a statement saying that it is continuing negotiations with FTSE and that, whatever the outcome, the firm will work with clients to ensure that they will be able to upload FTSE data to the Barra platform.